Why We Choose What Parts of the Bible We Want to Believe and Obey

As Christians, we all have a tendency to pick and choose which parts of the bible we like the best, which parts we want to interpret literally, and which parts we are going to obey. We also inconsistently follow some things that are modeled in scripture, but not others. We all tend to have a blind eye, liking what makes us comfortable rather than accepting the full truth of God's word.

This tendency to pick and choose what we want to believe has led to numerous denominations, debates, arguments, and and splinterings among Christian brothers and sisters. We all seem to be sure that we are right and others are wrong. We don't strive for unity as described by Jesus in John 17.

We pick and choose what we want to believe about:

bible versions
creation
baptism
the Lord's Supper
women's role in ministry
church government
family integration
education
youth ministry
predestination
eschatology
pastoral ministry
etc., etc., etc., and etc.

We disagree on all these things relating to God and church because (at least much of the time) we interpret scripture the way we want to instead of letting the text speak plainly. Certainly there are times when we disagree based on an honest reading of the biblical text; however, much of the time we make the bible say what we want it to instead of giving it a fair reading.

Why do we do this?

We do it because we are sinful. We are fallen creatures with imperfect spiritual discernment. Although redeemed, we still have remaining sin that clouds both our judgment and interpretation of the bible. This sin causes us to care about self first. Therefore, we sometimes see what we want to see instead of what is in the scriptures.

What I am referring to above generally does not pertain to what we might call "first-order doctrines." These are beliefs that the bible indicates we must hold in order to be saved (such as the divinity of Jesus Christ, the sinfulness of man, and the substitutionary atonement of Christ). Instead, we tend to separate over non-salvation related issues (both beliefs and practices).

We tend to be quick to say that we are correct and other Christians are incorrect. Simply put, we are certain that we are right, and they are wrong.

We could all use a healthy dose of humility concerning the issues we disagree upon. For example, I ought to be humble about my belief in believer's baptism. Why? There are many wise, godly Christians who hold to infant baptism.

Another example is my belief in God's absolute sovereignty over salvation. I must show humility in this belief. Why? I know many mature Christians who believe man has free will in his choice for or against God.

I both should be and need to be humble, remembering that I am sinful. This directly affects my ability to interpret scripture correctly. The Holy Spirit does illuminate scripture for us, but we sometimes allow our own sinful desires and motives to cloud our understanding.

Let's all remember that we are imperfect beings who, despite being made new creations, continue to want what we want. This includes how we read the bible.

Let's be careful in how quick we are to say others are wrong and we are right. Instead, let's be quick to unite with other Christians and slow to point out our differences.

We pick and choose because we are sinners. Let us all drink a healthy glass of humility each day as we approach the bible.